Act 3: Empire's Stand - Chapter 488: I'm Back…Again

Act 3: Empire's Stand - Chapter 488: I'm Back...Again

"You? What? How?" Remulus, the Pavilion Master, seemed at a loss for words. He slowly left his desk and grabbed Oscar's arms, sweeping his gaze over every inch of Oscar's figure. Despite his increased physical power, Oscar could not escape his grandmaster's powerful grip and waited for him to settle down. The physical powers of a King Exalt were truly astounding.

Remulus let go of Oscar's arms and smiled, "A lost son of our Pavilion has returned, and not just anyone, my grand disciple, the hero!" He exploded into joyous laughter while slapping his knees, making Oscar step back and turn to Elder Saul, who simply shook his head as if to say there was nothing they could do. Oscar was helpless to do anything against the old Pavilion Master and waited for him to calm down.

"Ahem...forget that for now." Remulus coughed and rubbed his bald head. "Oscar, how have you returned? Ashen Grove is sealed. Not even our powers can break through the barrier in the spatial domain."

"I am curious about that as well. Remulus, get out the good snacks. I was about to offer my biscuits, but the lad doesn't appreciate them." Elder Saul pulled out several chairs and arranged them around Remulus's desk. The old Pavilion Master scoffed and grumbled, but he pulled out trays of cookies, macarons, and packs of tea. Oscar and Fred helped themselves to a seat as the Pavilion Master poured out the tea, placing a cup before each person.

Oscar sipped some tea and exhaled steam, his pores opening and tingling from the deep herby flavor. The flowery scent of the tea brought him to a nice calm. Swirling the tea around his cup, Oscar was reminded of his master, Draven, and his current imprisonment in Rurin Gaols. The herby flavor turned sour, and Oscar placed the cup down, rubbing his forehead in distress. It felt wrong to enjoy all of this without his master beside him.

"You're worried about your master. I understand." Remulus put some snacks on a plate and gave them to Oscar. He seemed to understand Oscar's thoughts. "We can talk about him later. For now, let us know what happened after you were lost in Ashen Grove."

Oscar shared everything he had been through for the past few years. This was the third time now that he had to talk, and his mind felt tired at the mere thought of constantly having to retell his past. Everyone else listened in silence, lending their attention and ears to his every word. Tired, Oscar finished and sipped the lukewarm tea, pushing the cup away after putting it down.

"You met a Primaere! Astounding. Not many can claim to have done the same." Elder Saul exclaimed while munching on some snacks, smacking his lips without manners.

"Incredible. But I am more concerned with this New Dawn you speak of. Our enemy is in contact with them. Who knows when they might start using Reis Cores in battle." Remulus sharpened his gaze and knit his brows. "We're barely at a standstill at the borders as it is. If a couple of berserkers enter the fray, our forces may be overwhelmed. Do you know of them, Saul?"

"No. Not in any of my travels have I encountered any of their ilk. According to the lad, they're well-hidden and are the ones to initiate the contact. Perhaps I did encounter them, but without prior knowledge, I would not know their identities." Elder Saul said, frowning. "Tricky. Very tricky, indeed."

Shocked, Oscar turned to Elder Saul and stared in disbelief. From all the years he knew Elder Saul, there was never a moment when Elder Saul didn't have an answer. Elder Saul was there with an answer whenever he had troubles or questions, which only heightened his fear of the New Dawn and how insidious they were.

"Oscar. I promised Draven that I would reward you if you did well in Ashen Grove. Twenty years have gone by, but the promise still stands. Is there anything you want?" Remulus asked.

"If you can agree, I want two things," Oscar said. "First, I want an extract of the Divine Essence."

"Right. He's Grand Elder Robert's disciple." Oscar said, reminded of Gilbert's status. "It's impossible for you to break my master out of prison."

"'I'm sorry, both to you and Draven. My hands are tied. And besieging that prison without substantial force is impossible. Our flanks will be exposed and put the Empire at greater risk." Remulus slumped in his chair, more exhausted than before, clearly overwhelmed by a weariness unmatching a great King Exalt like him.

"What if...there was a way?" Elder Saul chimed in, a slight gummy smile curling from his lips.

"A way? You said there was no way when I asked!" Remulus shouted, banging his hand on the table.

Elder Saul waved his finger around and pointed at Oscar, "A way has been found."

"What do you–" Remulus was about to ask before the door burst open. Oscar turned to the intruder and was stunned.

"Is that you, Oscar?!" A melodious voice sang out like a songbird, filled with shock. A woman stood at the entrance, her wavy pink hair draped down her shoulders as her yellow eyes glinted, trembling in Oscar's direction. Distinct scars spotted her cheeks, but her face was devastatingly beautiful, only elevated in charm by the scars, like how Avril's small scar on her forehead made her infinitely more adorable. Garbed in a fabricator's uniform, she lunged at Oscar and hugged him tightly. She shook him around in her embrace and cried out, "You're alive?!"

"A-Aunt Rosett?" Oscar stammered. At first, the thick smell of soot and fire choked his nostrils, then a sweet flowery scent came in as a refreshing tide, and Oscar relaxed, letting Aunt Rosett hug him around. "I'm back."

"Little brat, you're as tall as Draven now. He would have been proud to see you like this." Aunt Rosett let him go and cupped his cheeks, smiling with tears of joy. "Why didn't you inform me sooner, Pavilion Master?"

"Had to take the time to ask questions without you clinging onto him. Settle down, Rosett. We were having a discussion." Remulus scratched his bald head and waved Rosett down.

"About what?" Rosett asked, sitting down and sharing a seat with Oscar.

"Breaking my master out," Oscar answered as Rosett gasped. He turned to Elder Saul and asked, "What's the plan?"